Nawaz Sharif foresees thaw in Pakistan-India ties after vital SCO summit

Delegation of Indian journalists meets ruling PML-N President Nawaz Sharif in this undated photo. — X/@pmln_org
Delegation of Indian journalists meets ruling PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on this undated picture. — X/@pmln_org

Ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif stated on Thursday that the SCO summit, which was additionally attended by an Indian overseas minister in a uncommon go to, may very well be a starting of normalisation of ties between India and Pakistan.

He made the assertion in a gathering with a delegation of Indian journalists who got here to Pakistan for the protection of not too long ago concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) moot attended by overseas leaders from 10 international locations.

The assembly was additionally attended by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Stressing the necessity to revive cricket diplomacy between the South Asian nations, Nawaz stated that the Indian cricket workforce ought to go to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“In case you ask the Indian cricket workforce, they’d additionally counsel enjoying in Pakistan. Regardless of they’re able to play, nevertheless, those that have energy to permit them do not grant them permission,” he informed the journalists.

He stated it might have been higher had Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the SCO convention in Pakistan, nevertheless, the arrival of the neighbouring nation’s overseas minister was additionally an excellent signal.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar waves hand before leaving Pakistan on October 16. — X/@DrSJaishankar
Indian Overseas Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar waves hand earlier than leaving Pakistan on October 16. — X/@DrSJaishankar

Jaishankar, who attended the SCO moot held in Islamabad, was the primary overseas minister of the neighbouring nation to go to Pakistan in practically a decade.

Whereas departing from Islamabad after the regional occasion, Jaishankar thanked PM Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar and the federal government for the “hospitality and courtesies”.

In his interplay with the journalists, the three-time former prime minister stated though the 2 international locations had a bitter previous, there may be have to look ahead and speak in regards to the future. 

Shedding gentle on mutual points which may very well be factors of collaboration, the PML-N president stated that Islamabad and New Delhi wanted to instantly work on local weather change and bilateral commerce.

Pointing in direction of suspended commerce ties between the neighbours for years, Nawaz informed the overseas journalists that the price of completely different Indian commodities and greens has elevated in Pakistan because the merchandise arrived in Pakistan through Dubai.

“Improved Pakistan-India relations would permit transportation of important commodities to Pakistan inside two hours,” he added.

Previous to this assembly, Nawaz was additionally interviewed by famend Indian journalist Barkha Dutt earlier this week earlier than the graduation of the highly-anticipated SCO convention.

Within the interview, the previous prime minister had expressed optimism about assembly Indian premier Modi within the close to future as he advocated improved relations with the neighbouring nation.

Indian journalist Barkha Dutt (Centre) meets Nawaz Sharif (Left) and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore, October 14, 2024. X/BDUTT
Indian journalist Barkha Dutt (Centre) meets Nawaz Sharif (Left) and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore, October 14, 2024. X/BDUTT

“I’ve all the time been a supporter of fine relations with India,” Nawaz stated, expressing hope that there was a chance to revive the connection.

“It could have been an ideal factor if PM [Narendra] Modi had additionally attended the SCO summit. I do hope that he and us can have a chance to sit down collectively within the not-so-distant future,” the previous premier stated.

Relations between the 2 international locations have gone by way of intervals of thaw every now and then however have been largely frozen since Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties in 2019 following abrogation of Article 370 — revoking particular standing of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Islamabad has linked its determination to normalising ties with New Delhi with the restoration of the particular standing of the IIOJK.

Regardless of the frosty ties, the 2 international locations agreed to resume the 2003 ceasefire settlement alongside the Line of Management (LoC) in February 2021.

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